Submarine vessel



Oct. 22, 1963 J. A. HAYN Es SUBIJIARINEy VESSEL Filed March 5, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet l INV ENTOR ATTORNEY I I I I 1 I I I I I I I l I John A. Haynes BY Q ,Si c

Oct. 22, 1963 .1. A. HAYNES 3,107,641

SUBMARINE VESSEL Filed March 3, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.4

INVENTOR John A. Haynes ATTORNEY 3,187,641 SUBME VESSEL John A. Haynes, Arlington, Tex., assignor to Jet Research Center, Inc., Arlington, Tex., a corporation `of Texas Filed Mar. 3, 1961, Ser. No. 93,194 4 Claims. (Cl. 114-163) This invention relates to submarine vessels, and more particularly to a submarine having an escape compartment severable therefrom by means of an explosive device, especially a linear shaped charge explosive device.

It is not uncommon, particularly in time of war, for the entire crew of a submarine to perish because of damage to the submarine which prevents the submarine from returning to the ocean surface. Peacetime accidents due to collision and like causes also extract a heavy toll. Submarines are usually divided into various watertight compartments which crewmen can seal off and survive for a limited time. Aqualungs or Momsen lungs can be used by individual crewmen to escape when the submarine is in relatively warm, shallow water. Specialized rescue diving bells are usually located remote from the disabled submarine and often cannot be moved to the disaster site and put into operation before the crewmen perish. A most effective escape system for a submarine would be one that is self-contained within the submarine itself, would not require any outside assistance to operate, and would protect the survivors from an intemperate environment.

It is therefore an object of the present inventionV to provide an efhcient, simple escape system for crewmen of submarines which is carried by the submarine and may be operated from within the submarine by the trapped crewmen, and which does not require any special training for its operation.

A further object of the present invention is the pro- Vision of a submarine escape system which will permit the crewmen to escape from a disabled submarine with safety when the submarine is submerged in very deep water.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a submarine escape system wherein the escape means is operable when the submarine is tilted over on its side or with its nose up or down.

The beforementioned objectives of the present invention are achieved in a submarine including a first pressure hull and a second pressure hull extending into the interior airspace contained within the first pressure hull. The second pressure hull has sidewall partitions, end wall partitions, and a floor partition separate from the first pressure hull, and a roof common and integrally formed with an upper section of the outer wall of the first pressure hull. The sidewall partitions, end wall partitions, and floor partition are the sole partitions separating the interior airspace of the second pressure hull from the interior airspace of the first pressure hull. At least one of the partitions provides an opening therethrough to permit crewmen access to the second pressure hull from the first pressure hull. Watertight and airtight openable door means close the opening. A linear shaped charge explosive device is positioned to sever the outer wall of the first pressure hull completely around and adjacent to the upper section forming the roof of the second pressure hull to free the second pressure hull from the first pressure hull.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational View of a submarine embodying the present invention shown lying on the ocean floor with one of the escape compartments floating on the surface of the ocean;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a section of the submarine of FIG. 1 showing the top of an escape compartment with the severing means shown in dotted outline;

32,i-7,64l Patented ct. 22., 1963 FIG. 3 is a vertical, longitudinal, sectional view taken along line 3 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the escape compartment taken along line 4 4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, further enlarged, sectional view showing details of the escape compartment severing means; and

IG. 6 is a sectional view taken on the same section line as FIG. 4 but showing the severed escape compartment floating up out of the submarine.

Referring now to FIG. l of the drawings, a submarine, designed 16 generally, is shown which is provided with a forward escape compartment, designated 11 generally, and an after escape compartment, designed l2 generally. The forward compartment is within the silhouette of the submarine and is depicted in dotted outline at 14. The forward escape compartment is provided with a watertight hatch cover 13 which is operable from both within and without the escape compartment. The after escape compartment 12, as shown in FIG. l, has been severed from the submarine and is floating on the surface of the ocean. The position occupied by the after escape compartment within the silhouette of the submarine before it is severed therefrom is shown in dotted outline at 15.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the submarine deck structure, designated 16 generally, is discontinuous at the forward end 17 and the rearward end 18 of the after escape compartment 12. The after escape compartment is provided with a water-tight hatch cover 19 similar to that of the forward compartment. Suitable slats 4t) may be fixed to the upper surface of the deck structure to provide a sure footing for the crewmen when they are topside the submarine. A linear shaped charge explosive device 20, to be described more fully hereinafter, is shown in dotted outline as completely surrounding the after escape compartment l2. A similar linear shaped charge explosive device (not shown) also surrounds the forward escape compartment 11.

While the following description of structure and manner of operation refers particularly to the after escape compartment i2, it is to be understood that the forward escape compartment l1 may also be of similar construction and operation. Further, the escape system of the present invention is not limited to the use of any specific number of escape compartments within a submarine, but may utilize any number of such compartments depending upon the particular design of a specific submarine.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the submarine has an outer or first pressure hull 2i which partially surrounds the forward escape compartment 11 and the after escape compartment t2, which compartments may be considered as second pressure hulls. The outer hull 21 and the after escape compartment l2 have a common, integrally formed, outer wall or roof section 22 which is exposed by the breaks in the deck structure to the hydrostatic pressure of the ocean when the submarine is submerged. The remainder of the after escape compartment 12, including the upwardly diverging end walls 23, the upwardly diverging side walls 24, and the floor 25, is contained within the first pressure hull 21 of the submarine. The side walls and end walls of the escape compartment are attached to the common outer wall section 22 of the outer hull 21 by welding or other suitable means to provide an airtight, watertight, pressure-resistant escape compartment substantially within the interior of the submarine. The end walls 23 of the escape compartment are provided with openings therethrough to permit the crewmen access to the escape compartment from the interior of the submarine. The openings are closed with watertight and airtight doors 26 to seal the escape compartment off from the interior of the submarine prior to separation of the escape compartment from the submarine hull. The

escape compartment is severed from the hull of the submarine by means of a linear shaped charge explosive device which is positioned inside the pressure hull 21 adjacent theescape compartment 12 and Vcompletely surrounds the same. Beams 27 are xed at each end to they inside wall of the pressure hull 21 and abut the underside of the oor 25 of the escape compartment in supporting relationship to the latter. If the escape compartment is located in a section of the submarine having two decks, the floor of the escape compartment may rest directly on the upper deck of the submarine but would not be attached thereto in any permanent manner.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the linear shaped charge device 20 has a metal casing 28 made from aV suitable metal, such as copper, which is lfilled with a compressed detonating explosive 29, such as cyclonite. Typical linear shaped charge explosive devices adaptable for use in the present invention are described, together with a process for making such devices, in the copending U.S. patent application Serial No. 67,817 of Richard F. Hatfield for Process of Making Linear Shaped Charge Explosive Devices, Apparatus Therefor and Devices Made Thereby, led November 7, 1960, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application. The shaped charge device is held in place on the inside of the hull 21 by means of straps which are held by screws 31V tapped into the hull 21. An electric idetonator is held in position to tire the shaped charge device by means of a clip 32 on `a strap 30 and is connected to a iirst electric generator 34 inside the escape compartment by means of an electrical cable 33. As a safety measure to insure detonation of .the shaped charge dev-ice, additional elecltric detonaltors may be placed at spaced apart locations on the shaped charge device and connected by separate electrical cables to the rst electric `generator 34. Referring again to FIG. 4, a Vsecond electric generator 35 is mounted on the inside wall of the escape compartment 12 and is connected by electrical cables V36 to shaped charge explosive units 37 located on opposite walls of the pressure hull 21. There may be a plurality yof cylindrical shaped charge units located on each wall, or, if preferred, one or more linear shaped charge units may be used in place 'of the cylindrical shaped charge units. Shaped charge units 37 may be, and preferably are, provided to perforate the louter hull 21, after the crewmen are safely sealed in the escape compartment, to flood the interior of the submarine, thereby tending to equalize pressures within and without the hull of the submarine and .to buoy up the escape compartment before the linear severing charge f20 is fired to separate the escape compartment from the hull 21. Under certain conditions, the expanding Ygases generated when the linear severing charge 20 is tired will increase the pressure of the sea water the hull 21 to help eject the buoyant escape compartment upwardly from the submarineV hull. The shaped charge units 37 are optional and may be dispensed with in some installations.

ln normal operation of the submarine, it is anticipated that the escape compartments 11 and 12 would be utilized las regular operating areas of the submarine. They may be used for storage compartment, as sleeping quarters for the crewmen, or any use which may be suitable. Each of the escape compartments would be permanently equipped with oxygen tanks, emergency food rations, an electrical generator, and auxiliary radio receiving and transmitting equipment to facilitate rescue when the escape compartments reach the surface of the ocean. Any necessary 4electrical cables, pipes, conduits, etc., that connect the escape compartment to the main body of the submarine may be cut by suitable auxiliary shaped charge explosive devices that are tired at the same time as the linear severing charge 20. Such an arrangement would prevent possible Vfouling of the buoyant escape compartment by such connections with the submarine proper.

In the event that a submarine equipped with an escape partment and the upper wall section of the pressure hull.

4 system in accordance with the present invention becomes disabled when submerged `and, cannot return to the ocean surface, the crewmen report to the escape compartment to which they have been previously assigned. The sections of the submarine containing the escape compartments are sealed off to prevent these sections from flooding while the escape compartments are prepared for use. Unnecessary equipment within the escape compartments is removed and left in the submarine to provide more room and less dead-weight in the escape compartments.

Operation ofthe escape system of the present invention will be described with particular reference to the after escape compartment 12. It is to be understood that all other escape compartments operate in a similar manner. After removal of unnecessary equipment, the crewmen enter the escape compartment and seal otf the watertight doors 26. The second electric generator 35 is then energized, tiring the shaped charge units 37 to perforate the outer pressure hull 21 of the submarine with openings 38, as seen in FIG. 6. Water enters through the openings 38 and partially lls the section of the submarine between the outer hull 21 and the escape compartment 12. The ilooded section of the `submarine will then -be 1at the same pressure as that of the ocean outside the submarine. Byk perforating the pressure hull 21 slightly above the floor level of the escape compartment, an Yair pocket will be formed between the side and end walls of the escape com- This air pocket provides a cushion for detonation forces created when the linear severing charge device 20 is red. Cushioning the detonation forces will prevent damage to Vthe seam where the side and end walls of the escape compartment join the outer pressure hull. After sutlicient time has elapsed to equalize the pressure within the flooded section of the submarine, the rst electric generator 34 is energized to detonate the linear shaped char-ge device 20 which completely surroundsrthe escape compartment. The linear jet formed by the detonation of the severing charge 20 will cut through the outer pressure hull 21 entirely around the escape compartment 12 to separate it from the hull of the submarine. Water pressure within the interior of the Vpressure hull will Ibe increased by detonation of the severing charge and the Ibuoyant escape compartment will be ejected upwardly to lloat free of the submarine and rise to the surface of the ocean. Cross 1beams 27 are provided underneath the escape compartment to prevent the escape compartment from being forced downwardly inside the pressure hull 21 by the force of the water flowing in to till the lair space remaining in the submarine. This force would be minor if the interior of the submarine were substantially Hooded as described hereinbefore. But, if for any' reason the interior of the submarine could not be Hooded before the severing vcharge was tired, the cross beams 27, or equivalent support means, would prevent the escape compartmentfrom being forced downwardly into the pressure hull by inrushmg water and possibly wedging therein. The upwardly diverging end walls 23 and side walls 24 of the escape compartment prevent the compartment from wedging Vin the opening cut by the linear severing charge. As can be seen in FIG. 6, even if the submarine is resting on its side, the buoyant escape compartment will oat into an upright position and rise Ito the surface of the ocean. If by accident the escape compartment 4did wedge in the opening in the pressure hull, a radio buoy could be sent to the surface to summon a rescue ship to send divers down to free the wedged escape compartment. After ar" rival on the surface of the ocean, the hatch cover 19 may be opened for ventilation of the compartment.

Limitations imposed by the design of a particular submarine may preclude the provision of escape compartments which are buoyant. Inrsuch cases, the escape system of the present invention may still be utilized effectively to rescue submarine crewmen with the assistance of a surface rescue ship equipped with divers or diving bells oyant escape compartar design as tliat shown Each esc pe compartment would be provided with a radio buoy in a watertight compartment vliicb, upon release, would rise to tbe surface of tbe ocean. Tire buoy would be connected to the escape compartment by an electrical cable to prevent the buoy from drifting away from tile submarine and to permit sending of distress signals by an operator within tile escape compartment. Rescue forces would obtain a radio fix on tire buoy and dispatch a suitably eqLi ped rescue snip to the location of the disabled submarine. On arrival at tbe site, divers from the rescue ship would descend to the decl; of submarine and attacn l ng cables to tire hook eyes 39 of the escape con@ artA l After tbe divers had returned to the surface rescue ship, the trapped crewmen would fire the shaped charges to flood die submarine and t'nen the linear SeveriniT charge device to cut the escape compartment irse from tbe submarine. As a safety measure, additional electrical leads for the detonator to lire tne linear severing cliarge may be extended through the pressure bull for connection to an electrical energy source outside the submarine. Tinus, if any malfunction occurs in the ring mechanism inside the escape compartment, tbe rescue divers could energize tire detonator `to lire tbe severing charge from a sate distance outside tbe submarine to release the escape compartment. The non-buoyant escape compartment would tlien be hoisted to the surface or" the ocean by tbe cables and associated Winches on the rescue sliip.

The escape system of the present invention is ideally suited for use in present day atomic energy powered submarines which often operate for extended periods of time in the polar regions. A person cannot survive more than a few minutes when immersed in near-freezing polar waters. Since in tbe present escape system the crewmen are completely enclosed in a dry, watertight compartment, they could survive for an extended period or" time even in weather conditions that exist in the polar regions.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent to those skilled in tbe art that various modications in construction and arrangement can be made in the submarine escape system of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.

l claim:

l. A submarine vessel comprising:

(a) a first pressure hull;

(IJ) a second pressure hull substantially within said first pressure hull;

(c) said hulls having a common outer wall section;

(d) a first shaped charge explosive device operable from within said second pressure hull to sever said first pressure bull completely around said common outer Wall section and adjacent thereto;

(e) and a second shaped charge explosive device operable from witnin said second pressure hull to perforate said iirst pressure hull to flood the interior of tliat portion of said lirst pressure bull surrounding said second pressure hull prior to operation of said irst shaped charge explosive device.

2. A submarine vessel comprising:

(a) a first pressure hull;

(b) a second pressure liull substantially within said iirst pressure bull;

(c) said bulls having a common outer wall section;

(d) a first shaped. charge explosive device operable from within said second pressure hull to sever said rst pressure bull completely around said common outer wall section and adjacent thereto;

(e) support structure on said first pressure hull abutting said second pressure bull to support said second press liull wauin said first pressure liull after said corniuon otuer wall section is severed; and

(f) a second shaped charge explosive device operable from within said second pressure hull to perforate said iirst pressure liull to llood the interior of that portion of said rst pressure hull surrounding said second pressure hull prior to operation of said first liaped charge explosive device.

3. A submarine vessel comprising:

(o) a first pressure hull;

(b) a second pressure hull extending into the interior airspace contained witl'iin the rst pressure bull;

(c) said second pressure bull having sidewall partitions, end wail partitions, and a floor partition separate from said first pressure bull, and a roof Common and integrally formed with an upper section of the outer wall of said first pressure hull;

(d) said sidewall partitions, end wall parti-tions, and Lloer partion being tbe sole partitions separating the interior airspace of said second pressure hull from the interior airspace of said first pressure hull;

(e) at least one 01"' said partitions providing an opening therethrough to permit crewmen access to said second pressure liull from said first pressure hull;

(f) watertight and airtight openable door means closing said opening; and

(g) a linear shaped charge explosive device positioned to sever the outer wall of said first pressure hull completely around and adjacent to said upper section forming the root of said second pressure hull to free said second pressure bull from said first pressure hull.

4. A submarine vessel comprising:

(a) a rst pressure hull;

(b) a second buoyant pressure hull extending into the interior airspace contained witliin the first pressure hull;

(c) said second pressure hull having sidewall partitions, end wall partitions, and a floor partition sparate from said first pressure hull, and a roof common and integrally formed with an upper section of the outer wall of said irst pressure hull;

(d) said sidewall partitions, end Wall partitions, and floor partition being the sole partitions separating tire interior airspace of said second pressure hull from tbe interior airspace of said first pressure hull;

(e) at least one of said partitions providing an opening therethrough to permit crewrnen access to said second pressure hull from said first pressure hull;

() watertight and airtight operable door means closing said opening; and

(g) a linear shaped charge explosive device positioned to sever the outer wall of said first pressure hull completely around and adjacent to said upper section forming the roof of said second pressure hull to free said second pressure hull from said first pressure hull to permit said second pressure bull to rise to the surface of the ocean.

Reterences Qited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. A SUBMARINE VESSEL COMPRISING: (A) A FIRST PRESSURE HULL; (B) A SECOND PRESSURE HULL SUBSTANTIALLY WITHIN SAID FIRST PRESSURE HULL; (C) SAID HULLS HAVING A COMMON OUTER WALL SECTION; (D) A FIRST SHAPED CHARGE EXPLSIVE DEVICE OPERABLE FROM WITHIN SAID SECOND PRESSURE HULL TO SEVER SAID FIRST PRESSURE HULL COMPLETELY AROUND SAID COMMON OUTER WALL SECTION AND ADJACENT THERETO; (E) AND A SECOND SHAPED CHARGE EXPLOSIVE DEVICE OPERABLE FROM WITHIN SAID SECOND PRESSURE HULL TO PERFORATE SAID FIRST PRESSURE HULL TO FLOOD THE INTERIOR OF THAT PORTION OF SAID FIRST PRESSURE HULL SURROUNDING SAID SECOND PRESSURE HULL PRIOR TO OPERATION OF SAID FIRST SHAPED CHARGE EXPLOSIVE DEVICE. 